Acebeam Rider RX vs Acebeam UC3A
Quick take: The Acebeam UC3A costs $15 less; the Acebeam UC3A is brighter (900 vs 650 lm); the Acebeam Rider RX throws farther (96m vs 85m); the Acebeam UC3A runs longer on high (23 vs 1 hrs).
| Spec | Acebeam Rider RX | Acebeam UC3A |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 | $35 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | Keychain |
| Lumens | 650 lm | 900 lm |
| Candela | 2,300 cd | 1,806 cd |
| Beam distance | 96m | 85m |
| Runtime | 1 hr (high) | 23 hrs (low) |
| Battery | AA/14500 | 10440 |
| LED | Nichia 219F 5000K | SST-36R 6500K + RGB |
| Beam type | Flood | Flood |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 3 Stepped + Strobe |
| UI | Simple | Dual Switch |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| CRI | 90 | 70 |
| Weight | 2.9 oz | 2.2 oz |
| Dimensions | 3.8 x 0.7 in | 2.8 x 1.2 in |
| Warranty | 5 Year | 10 Year |
What owners report
Acebeam Rider RX
- ✓High-CRI Nichia 219F in an AA/14500 light
- ✓Bolt-action fidget clip that some owners find genuinely calming
- ✓Type III hard-anodised aluminium with good heat dissipation
- ✓1,000 lumens from a widely available cell format
- ✓Rated 4.5 out of 5 by a reviewer despite the regulation criticism
- ✗Output isn't regulated on 14500 — it dims as the cell drains
- ✗Every mode uses PWM, though it's well implemented
- ✗Forward-clicky tail makes mode changes awkward with the light on
- ✗Longer than most of its direct competition
- ✗Not enough texture for wet or gloved hands, and charging is slow
Acebeam UC3A
- ✓900 lumens from a AAA-format flat light
- ✓Removable USB-C rechargeable 10440, with plain AAA as fallback
- ✓Faultless machining, finish and fitment
- ✓Useful magnet and a genuinely fun RGB gradient mode
- ✓Good form factor for pocket and bag carry
- ✗Poor mode spacing — nothing between 4 and 80 lumens
- ✗Extremely soft buttons with easy accidental activation
- ✗The lockout needs an awkward four-second hold
- ✗Clip orientation and protruding screws annoy, and RGB has no memory
- ✗Not worth the $35 MSRP by reviewer consensus; buy on sale